Package management system for robotic vehicles

ABSTRACT

Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes a package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for recognizing an individual human shopper. The system includes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. The system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. In an embodiment, the package management system includes circuitry for issuing an alarm upon detection of an unauthorized removal or attempted unauthorized removal of a consumer item from the secure portion of the robotic vehicle.

If an Application Data Sheet (ADS) has been filed on the filing date ofthis application, it is incorporated by reference herein. Anyapplications claimed on the ADS for priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120,121, or 365(c), and any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of such applications, are also incorporated byreference, including any priority claims made in those applications andany material incorporated by reference, to the extent such subjectmatter is not inconsistent herewith.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the earliest availableeffective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the“Priority Applications”), if any, listed below (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Priority Application(s)).

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

None.

If the listings of applications provided above are inconsistent with thelistings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claimpriority to each application that appears in the DomesticBenefit/National Stage Information section of the ADS and to eachapplication that appears in the Priority Applications section of thisapplication.

All subject matter of the Priority Applications and of any and allapplications related to the Priority Applications by priority claims(directly or indirectly), including any priority claims made and subjectmatter incorporated by reference therein as of the filing date of theinstant application, is incorporated herein by reference to the extentsuch subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

SUMMARY

For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein includes a package management system for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry forrecognizing an individual human shopper. The system includes circuitryfor receiving data indicative of a location of the individual humanshopper in the consumer shopping environment. The system includescircuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.

In an embodiment, the package management system includes circuitry forreceiving a request originated by the individual human shopper. In anembodiment, the package management system includes circuitry forreceiving data indicative of a transportation departure point selectedby the individual human shopper. The transportation departure pointaccommodating a transfer of a consumer item from the robotic vehicle toa conveyance configured to transport the consumer item away from theconsumer shopping environment. In this environment, the circuitry forrouting includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to thetransportation departure point. In an embodiment, the package managementsystem includes circuitry for controlling a package security systemprotecting consumer items placed in a secure portion of the roboticvehicle against an unauthorized removal. In an embodiment, the packagemanagement system includes circuitry for issuing an alarm upon detectionof an unauthorized removal or attempted unauthorized removal of aconsumer item from a secure portion of the robotic vehicle.

For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein includes a computationally-implemented method ofoperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle. The method includes recognizing anindividual human shopper placing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle.The method includes receiving data indicative of a location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. Themethod includes routing the robotic vehicle to the location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.

In an embodiment, the computationally-implemented method includesreceiving a request originated by the individual human shopper that therobotic vehicle suspend routing the robotic vehicle to the location ofthe individual human shopper. In an embodiment, the method includesreceiving a request originated by the individual human shopper that therobotic vehicle move to the location of the individual human shopper. Inan embodiment, the method includes receiving data indicative of atransportation departure point selected by the individual human shopper,the transportation departure point accommodating a transfer of aconsumer item from the robotic vehicle to a conveyance configured totransport the consumer item away from the consumer shopping environment.In this embodiment, the routing includes routing the robotic vehicle tothe transportation departure point. In an embodiment, the methodincludes controlling a package security system protecting consumer itemsplaced in a secure portion of the robotic vehicle from an unauthorizedremoval.

For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein includes system in the form of a machine, article ofmanufacture, or composition of matter for operating a robotic vehicleconfigured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper froma consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. Thesystem includes a user recognition module configured to recognize anindividual human shopper placing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle.The system includes a receiver module configured to electronicallyreceive data indicative of a location of the individual human shopper inthe consumer shopping environment. The system includes a tracking moduleconfigured to route the robotic vehicle to the location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 100 in which embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example computationally-implemented method 200 ofoperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example article of manufacture 300 for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system 400 in the form of a machine,article of manufacture, or composition of matter for operating a roboticvehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a humanshopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the roboticvehicle;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example environment 500 in which embodiments maybe implemented;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example computationally-implemented method 600 ofoperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example article of manufacture 700 for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle;

FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 in the form of a machine, article ofmanufacture, or composition of matter for operating a robotic vehicleconfigured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper froma consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle;

FIG. 9 illustrates an environment 900 that includes a package managementsystem 920 for operating a robotic vehicle 110 configured to transportconsumer items 108 selected by a human shopper from a consumer shoppingenvironment 102 and placed in the robotic vehicle;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example computationally-implemented method ofoperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle;

FIG. 11 illustrates an article of manufacture 1100 for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an example system 1200 in the form of a machine,article of manufacture, or composition of matter for operating a roboticvehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a humanshopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the roboticvehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various implementations by which processes and/or systemsand/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g.,hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferredimplementation will vary with the context in which the processes and/orsystems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if animplementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmwareimplementation; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet againalternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possibleimplementations by which the processes and/or devices and/or othertechnologies described herein may be effected, none of which isinherently superior to the other in that any implementation to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which theimplementation will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed,flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which mayvary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects ofimplementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware,software, and or firmware.

In some implementations described herein, logic and similarimplementations may include software or other control structuressuitable to implement an operation. Electronic circuitry, for example,may manifest one or more paths of electrical current constructed andarranged to implement various logic functions as described herein. Insome implementations, one or more media are configured to bear adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform as describedherein. In some variants, for example, this may manifest as an update orother modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arraysor other programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of ora transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or moreoperations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware,software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose componentsexecuting or otherwise invoking special-purpose components.Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one ormore instances of tangible transmission media as described herein,optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing throughdistributed media at various times.

Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing aspecial-purpose instruction sequence or otherwise invoking circuitry forenabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing oneor more occurrences of any functional operations described below. Insome variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may beexpressed directly as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked asan executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example, C++or other code sequences can be compiled directly or otherwiseimplemented in high-level descriptor languages (e.g., alogic-synthesizable language, a hardware description language, ahardware design simulation, and/or other such similar mode(s) ofexpression). Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the logicalexpression may be manifested as a Verilog-type hardware description orother circuitry model before physical implementation in hardware,especially for basic operations or timing-critical applications. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimizesuitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies,actuators, or other common structures in light of these teachings.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious embodiments described herein can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systemshaving a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software,firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range ofcomponents that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigidbodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magneticallyactuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof.Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, butis not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with atransducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a MicroElectro Mechanical System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having atleast one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory(e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitryforming a communications device (e.g., a modem, module, communicationsswitch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electricalanalog thereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in theart will also appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systemsinclude but are not limited to a variety of consumer electronicssystems, medical devices, as well as other systems such as motorizedtransport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and/orcommunication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to asystem that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except ascontext may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will also recognize thatthe various aspects described herein which can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composedof various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein“electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electricalcircuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electricalcircuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitryhaving at least one application specific integrated circuit, electricalcircuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by acomputer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by acomputer program which at least partially carries out processes and/ordevices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computerprogram which at least partially carries out processes and/or devicesdescribed herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/orelectrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those havingskill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combinationthereof.

Those skilled in the art will further recognize that at least a portionof the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated intoan image processing system. A typical image processing system maygenerally include one or more of a system unit housing, a video displaydevice, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors suchas microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entitiessuch as operating systems, drivers, applications programs, one or moreinteraction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch-sensitive screen ordisplay surface, an antenna, etc.), control systems including feedbackloops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing lens positionand/or velocity; control motors for moving/distorting lenses to givedesired focuses). An image processing system may be implementedutilizing suitable commercially available components, such as thosetypically found in digital still systems and/or digital motion systems.

Those skilled in the art will likewise recognize that at least some ofthe devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into adata processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognizethat a data processing system generally includes one or more of a systemunit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile ornon-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digitalsignal processors, computational entities such as operating systems,drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one ormore interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch-sensitive screen ordisplay surface, an antenna, etc.), and/or control systems includingfeedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing positionand/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting componentsand/or quantities). A data processing system may be implementedutilizing suitable commercially available components, such as thosetypically found in data computing/communication and/or networkcomputing/communication systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 100 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The environment includes a package management system 120for operating a robotic vehicle 110 configured to transport one or moreconsumer items 108 selected by a human shopper from a consumer shoppingenvironment 102 and placed in the robotic vehicle. In an embodiment, theconsumer shopping environment may include a store, a mall with at leasttwo stores, an airport shopping area, or an amusement park. In anembodiment, the consumer items include retail consumer items.

The package management system 120 includes circuitry for recognizing 122an individual human shopper 195. The package management system includescircuitry for receiving data 124 indicative of a location of theindividual human shopper 195 in the consumer shopping environment 102.In an embodiment, the received data may include tracking data frommobile cellular device carried by the individual human shopper, ortracking data from trackers incorporated in the consumer shoppingenvironment 102. The package management system includes circuitry forrouting 126 the robotic vehicle to the location of the individual humanshopper in the consumer shopping environment. In an embodiment, therobotic vehicle may follow independent route through consumer shoppingenvironment, an independent route through a store of the consumershopping environment, or a parking lot of the consumer shoppingenvironment. In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle may remain out ofsight of the individual human shopper until otherwise commanded by theindividual human shopper.

In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle 110 includes a machine that moves“autonomously” on the ground or in the air. In an embodiment, therobotic vehicle includes a vehicle that is “unmanned” in a sense that nohumans are on board. In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle includes avehicle that moves by itself, under their own power, with sensors andcomputational resources onboard to guide its motion. In an embodiment,the robotic vehicle may include a vehicle that integrates some form ofhuman oversight or supervision of motion or task execution. In anembodiment, the robotic vehicle may include a body with a consumer itemcarrier, such as a secure portion 112, a control system, a propulsionsystem configured to operate the robotic vehicle at a human walkingspeed, a steering device, or a guidance system. In an embodiment, therobotic vehicle may include a wheeled or tracked robotic vehicle. In anembodiment, the robotic vehicle may include a wireless communicationdevice 163, which may include a cellular communications device. In anembodiment, the robotic vehicle may include a sensor 174. The sensor mayinclude an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, an acoustic sensor, or aradar sensor.

In an embodiment, the circuitry for recognizing 122 an individual humanshopper 195 includes circuitry for recognizing an individual humanshopper placing a consumer item 108 in the robotic vehicle 110. In anembodiment, the circuitry for recognizing an individual human shopperincludes circuitry for identifying an individual human shopper placing aconsumer item in the robotic vehicle.

In an embodiment, the circuitry for receiving data 124 includescircuitry for receiving data indicative of a current location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. In anembodiment, the circuitry for receiving data includes circuitry for (i)receiving a data signal transmitted by a wireless device carried by theindividual human shopper and (ii) determining the current location ofthe individual human shopper in response to the received data signal.For example, the data signal may be transmitted by a beacon or mobilecellular device carried by the individual human shopper. In anembodiment, the circuitry for receiving data includes circuitry forreceiving position-related data from a shopper tracking system ordatabase. For example, the data signal may be sourced fromlocation-tracking database or system associated with or operated by theconsumer shopping environment. For example, the data signal may besourced from a review of video images.

In an embodiment, the circuitry for routing 126 includes circuitry forrouting the robotic vehicle 110 to the current location of theindividual human shopper 195 at least partially based on a travellimitation of the robotic vehicle. For example, a travel limitation mayinclude the need to use elevators rather than stairs or escalators; orneed to avoid crowds, speed limitations, etc. In an embodiment, thecircuitry for routing includes circuitry for planning a route andinitiating a movement of the robotic vehicle along the planned route tothe current location of the individual human shopper in the consumershopping environment. In an embodiment, the circuitry for routingincludes circuitry for predicting a future location of the individualhuman shopper, planning a route, and initiating a movement of therobotic vehicle along the planned route to the predicted future locationof the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment. Inan embodiment, the circuitry for routing includes circuitry for routingthe robotic vehicle first to a designated intermediate location (e.g., acheckout lane) and then to the predicted future location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.

In an embodiment, the package management system 120 includes circuitryfor receiving a request 128 originated by the individual human shopper195. In an embodiment, the request includes a request to move therobotic vehicle 110 to the location of the individual human shopper. Inan embodiment, the request includes a designated time at which therobotic vehicle is to move to the location of the individual humanshopper. In an embodiment, the request is transmitted by a mobilecellular device associated with the individual human shopper. In anembodiment, the request includes the location of the mobile cellulardevice. In an embodiment, the request includes a request originated bythe individual human shopper to suspend routing the robotic vehicle tothe location of the individual human shopper. For example, in anembodiment, the individual human shopper may explicitly direct verballyor by gestures the robotic vehicle to leave individual human shopper.For example, in an embodiment, the robotic vehicle may be implicitlytold to leave individual human shopper by the individual human shopperentering a restricted location. For example, in an embodiment, therobotic vehicle can be implicitly told to leave individual human shopperwhen individual human shopper enters a non-robotic vehicle-traversableportal, such as a crowded aisle, an escalator, or stairwell. In anembodiment, the request includes a request originated by the individualhuman shopper that the robotic vehicle resume routing the roboticvehicle to the location of the individual human shopper. In anembodiment, the request includes a request originated by the individualhuman shopper that the robotic vehicle moves to the location of theindividual human shopper.

In an embodiment, the package management system 120 includes circuitryfor receiving data indicative of a transportation departure point 132selected by the individual human shopper. The transportation departurepoint accommodating a transfer of a consumer item 108 from the roboticvehicle 110 to a conveyance 106 configured to transport the consumeritem away from the consumer shopping environment 102. In an embodiment,the transportation departure point includes a surface transportationdeparture point. In this embodiment, the circuitry for routing 126includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the transportationdeparture point.

In an embodiment, the package management system 120 includes circuitry134 for controlling a package security system 114 protecting consumeritems 108 placed in a secure portion 112 of the robotic vehicle 110against an unauthorized removal. In an embodiment, the secure portionincludes a secure item carrier. In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle isconfigured to physically protect consumer items, for example by alocking top. In an embodiment, the unauthorized removal includes aremoval of a consumer item from the secure portion of the roboticvehicle by a person other than the recognized individual human shopper.In an embodiment, the unauthorized removal includes an attempted entryby a hand of a person other than the recognized individual human shopperinto the secure portion of the robotic vehicle. For example, thecircuitry for controlling a package security system may be asymmetric,e.g., allow inward hand penetration, but forbid outward hand movement.In an embodiment, the circuitry for controlling the package securitysystem includes a selectively-activated circuitry for controlling thepackage security system. In an embodiment, the selectively-activatedcircuitry is activated if the individual human shopper is physicallyseparated from the robotic vehicle for more than a specified time. In anembodiment, the selectively-activated circuitry is activated if theindividual human shopper is physically separated from the roboticvehicle by more than a specified distance. In an embodiment, theselectively-activated circuitry is activated if a gaze or head directionof the individual human shopper is away from the robotic vehicle formore than a specified time. In an embodiment, the selectively-activatedcircuitry is activated if the robotic vehicle is motionless for morethan a specified time.

In an embodiment, the package management system 120 includes circuitryfor issuing an alarm 136 upon detection of an unauthorized removal orattempted unauthorized removal of a consumer item 108 from the secureportion 112 of the robotic vehicle. In an embodiment, the secure portionincludes a secure item carrier or a secure consumer item carrier. Forexample, the package management system of the robotic vehicle canvirtually protect consumer items by issuing an alert when objectstraverse a cart perimeter. For example, the robotic vehicle can protectthe goods while separated from individual human shopper or while waitingfor the individual human shopper. In an embodiment, the robotic vehiclemay include locking top, or have alarm for entry/exit (hand, goods,etc.) through cart perimeter.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example computationally-implemented method ofoperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle. The method includes an operational flow200. After a start operation, the operational flow includes adistinguishing operation 210 recognizing an individual human shopperplacing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle. In an embodiment, thedistinguishing operation may be implemented using the circuitry forrecognizing 122 described in conjunction with FIG. 1. The operationalflow includes a reception operation 220 receiving data indicative of alocation of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment. In an embodiment, the reception operation may beimplemented using the circuitry for receiving data 124 indicative of alocation of the individual human shopper described in conjunction withFIG. 1. The operational flow includes a following operation 230 routingthe robotic vehicle to the location of the individual human shopper inthe consumer shopping environment. In an embodiment, the followingoperation may be implemented using circuitry for routing 126 describedin conjunction with FIG. 1. The operational flow includes an endoperation.

In an embodiment, an operational flow of the method 200 may include atleast one additional operation 240. An additional operation may includean operation 242 receiving a request originated by the individual humanshopper that the robotic vehicle suspend routing the robotic vehicle tothe location of the individual human shopper. In an embodiment, anadditional operation may include an operation 244 receiving a requestoriginated by the individual human shopper that the robotic vehicle moveto the location of the individual human shopper. In an embodiment, anadditional operation may include an operation 246 receiving dataindicative of a transportation departure point selected by theindividual human shopper. The transportation departure pointaccommodating a transfer of a consumer item from the robotic vehicle toa conveyance configured to transport the consumer item away from theconsumer shopping environment. In operation 246, the following operationincludes routing the robotic vehicle to the transportation departurepoint. In an embodiment, an additional operation may include anoperation 248 controlling a package security system protecting consumeritems placed in a secure portion of the robotic vehicle from anunauthorized removal.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example article of manufacture 300 for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle. The article of manufacture includes a non-transitorycomputer readable storage media 310. The non-transitory computerreadable storage media bearing one or more instructions 312 forrecognizing an individual human shopper placing a consumer item in therobotic vehicle. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediabearing one or more instructions 314 for receiving data indicative of alocation of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment. The non-transitory computer readable storage media bearingone or more instructions 316 for routing the robotic vehicle to thelocation of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment.

In an embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable storage media 310further bears one or more instructions 318 for receiving a requestoriginated by the individual human shopper that the robotic vehiclesuspend routing the robotic vehicle to the location of the individualhuman shopper. In an embodiment, the non-transitory computer readablestorage media further bears one or more instructions 322 for receiving arequest originated by the individual human shopper that the roboticvehicle resume routing the robotic vehicle to the location of theindividual human shopper. In an embodiment, the non-transitory computerreadable storage media further bears one or more instructions 324 forcontrolling a package security system protecting consumer items placedin a secure portion of the robotic vehicle from an unauthorized removal.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system 400 in the form of a machine,article of manufacture, or composition of matter for operating a roboticvehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a humanshopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the roboticvehicle. The system includes a user recognition module 412 configured torecognize an individual human shopper placing a consumer item in therobotic vehicle. The system includes a receiver module 414 configured toelectronically receive data indicative of a location of the individualhuman shopper in the consumer shopping environment. The system includesa tracking module 416 configured to route the robotic vehicle to thelocation of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example environment 500 in which embodiments maybe implemented. The environment includes a package management system 520for operating the robotic vehicle 110 configured to transport consumeritems 108 selected by a human shopper from a consumer shoppingenvironment 102 and placed in the robotic vehicle. The packagemanagement system includes circuitry for receiving data 522 indicativeof a transportation departure point 104 accommodating a transfer of aconsumer item 108 from the robotic vehicle to a conveyance 106configured to transport the consumer item away from the consumershopping environment. In an embodiment, the transportation departurepoint includes a surface transportation departure point. In anembodiment, the transportation departure point is within or near to theconsumer shopping environment. In an embodiment, the transportationdeparture point is a vehicular exit point from the consumer shoppingenvironment. In an embodiment, the conveyance includes a publicconveyance, such as for example a taxi, bus, common carrier, ship, oraircraft. In an embodiment, the conveyance includes a privateconveyance, such as for example a private car, ship, or aircraft. In anembodiment, the conveyance includes a conveyance configured to transportthe consumer item away from the consumer shopping environment over apublic transportation corridor or system. For example, a publictransportation corridor or system may include a public road, rail line,or air route. The package management system includes circuitry forrouting 524 the robotic vehicle to the departure point.

In an embodiment, the circuitry for receiving data 522 includescircuitry for receiving data indicative of the transportation departurepoint 104 selected by the individual human shopper 195. In anembodiment, the circuitry for receiving data includes circuitry forreceiving data indicative of a location of the departure point from theindividual human shopper 195. For example, the data indicative of alocation of the departure point may be generated by the individual humanshopper explicitly indicate the location of the departure point by voiceor showing tag. In an embodiment, the circuitry for receiving dataincludes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a location of thedeparture point from a wireless mobile device carried by the individualhuman shopper. In an embodiment, the circuitry for receiving dataincludes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a particularconveyance 106 at the departure point designated by the individual humanshopper. For example, the particular conveyance may include a particularbus or train identified by route, destination, or arrival time at thedeparture point. In an embodiment, the circuitry for receiving dataincludes circuitry for (i) receiving data indicative of an attribute ofa particular conveyance at the departure point and (ii) determining thelocation of the particular conveyance at the departure point at leastpartially based on the attribute of the particular conveyance. Forexample, in an embodiment, the attribute of a particular conveyance mayinclude a description, such as model, color, make or license number of acar. For example, in an embodiment, the attribute of a particularconveyance may include an identifier of a parking space occupied by thecar. For example, in an embodiment, the attribute of a particularconveyance may be acquired from a parking lot database, by a physicalsearch algorithm of the parking lot, by a virtual search algorithm(e.g., looking at camera views), and the like. For example, in anembodiment, the attribute of a particular conveyance may be acquiredfrom data indicative of where the individual human shopper entered theconsumer shopping environment, or where the individual human shopperacquired the robotic vehicle. For example, the individual human shoppermay have acquired the robotic vehicle at a bus stop, train stop, ormonorail stop. In an embodiment, the circuitry for receiving dataincludes circuitry for (i) receiving data indicative of historicalmovements of the individual human shopper, and (ii) determining alocation of the departure point at least partially based on thehistorical movements of the individual human shopper. For example, thedata indicative of historical movements of the individual human shoppermay include tracking data. For example, the data indicative ofhistorical movements of the individual human shopper may include dataindicative of historical movements of the individual human shoppertoward or into the consumer shopping environment. For example, therobotic vehicle may determine the conveyance's location by backtrackingindividual human shopper's motion from historical camera footage (e.g.,from entry into store/mall backwards to departure from car).

In an embodiment, the circuitry for routing 524 includes circuitry forrouting the robotic vehicle 110 to the departure point 104 anddetermining an estimated arrival time of the robotic vehicle at thedeparture point. For example, the robotic vehicle may be routed directlyto the departure point, or the circuitry for routing may schedulearrival based on a preset time, or at a departure time of individualhuman shopper from store/mall. For example, the departure time may bebased on camera footage, or on being told the time by the individualhuman shopper 195.

In an embodiment, the circuitry for receiving data 522 includescircuitry for receiving data indicative of an arrival time of theindividual human shopper 195 at the departure point 104. In anembodiment, the circuitry for receiving data includes circuitry forreceiving a query regarding an estimated arrival time of the individualhuman shopper at the departure point.

In an embodiment, the package management system 520 includes circuitryfor wirelessly transmitting data 526 indicative of the estimated arrivaltime of the robotic vehicle 110. In an embodiment, the data indicativeof the estimated arrival time is in a format usable by a wirelesscellular device.

In an embodiment, the package management system 520 includes circuitryfor managing 528 a transfer of a consumer item 108 acquired by theindividual human shopper 195 in the consumer shopping environment 102from the robotic vehicle 110 to the conveyance 106 at the departurepoint 104. In an embodiment, the circuitry for managing a transferfurther includes circuitry for managing a transfer of the consumer itemfrom another robotic vehicle to the robotic vehicle 110. For example,the robotic vehicle may receive a consumer item directly from theindividual human shopper while they are shopping, or indirectly afterthe consumer item has been paid for or ordered by individual humanshopper. In an embodiment, the circuitry for managing a transfer furtherincludes circuitry for managing a transfer of the consumer item from astaging location to the robotic vehicle.

In an embodiment, the package management system 520 includes circuitryfor authorizing 532 a release of a consumer item 108 acquired by theindividual human shopper 195 in the consumer shopping environment 102from a secure portion 112 of the robotic vehicle 110. In an embodiment,the circuitry for authorizing a release of a consumer item includescircuitry for authorizing in response to an authorization originated bythe individual human shopper a release of a consumer item acquired bythe individual human shopper from a secure portion of the roboticvehicle. In an embodiment, for example, the authorization may includeentry of a code, or a signal from a wireless mobile cellular device. Inan embodiment, the robotic vehicle protects the consumer item or itemsuntil they are delivered to the conveyance or to the individual humanshopper. For example, the robotic vehicle may include locking top orcover; it may have an alarm for entry/exit of a hand or removal of aconsumer item through a perimeter of the robotic vehicle. In anembodiment, the circuitry for authorizing a release of a consumer itemincludes circuitry for authorizing in response to recognition of theindividual human shopper a release of a consumer item acquired by theindividual human shopper from a secure portion of the robotic vehicle.In an embodiment, for example, the recognition may include facialrecognition or thumb print recognition. In an embodiment, the circuitryfor authorizing a release of a consumer item includes circuitry forauthorizing in response to receipt of an authorization token a releaseof a consumer item acquired by the individual human shopper from asecure portion of the robotic vehicle. In an embodiment, for example,the authorization may include a code, token, receipt, or the like. In anembodiment, the circuitry for authorizing a release of a consumer itemincludes circuitry for authorizing in response to receipt of a paymentfor the consumer item a release of a consumer item acquired by theindividual human shopper from a secure portion of the robotic vehicle.

In an embodiment, the package management system 520 further includescircuitry for returning 534 the robotic vehicle 110 to a staginglocation after the consumer item 108 acquired by the individual humanshopper 195 in the consumer shopping environment 102 is delivered to thedeparture point 104. In an embodiment, for example, the robotic vehiclecan automatically return to “roost” after delivery of consumer items.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example computationally-implemented method ofoperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle. The method includes an operational flow600. After a start operation, the operational flow includes a receptionoperation 610 receiving data indicative of a transportation departurepoint accommodating a transfer of a consumer item from the roboticvehicle to a conveyance configured to transport the consumer item awayfrom the consumer shopping environment. In an embodiment, the receptionoperation may be implemented using the circuitry for receiving data 522described in conjunction with FIG. 5. The operational flow includes aguidance operation 620 routing the robotic vehicle to the transportationdeparture point. In an embodiment, the guidance operation may beimplemented using the circuitry for routing 524 described in conjunctionwith FIG. 5. The operational flow includes an end operation.

In an embodiment, the operational flow 600 may include at least oneadditional operation 630. The at least one additional operation mayinclude managing 632 a transfer of a consumer item acquired by anindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment fromanother robotic vehicle to the robotic vehicle. The at least oneadditional operation may include authorizing 634 a release of a consumeritem acquired by an individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment from a secure portion of the robotic vehicle. The at leastone additional operation may include returning 636 the robotic vehicleto a staging location after the consumer item acquired by an individualhuman shopper in the consumer shopping environment is released from therobotic vehicle at the transportation departure point.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example article of manufacture 700 for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle. The article of manufacture includes a non-transitorycomputer readable storage media 710. The non-transitory computerreadable storage media bears one or more instructions 712 for receivingdata indicative of a transportation departure point accommodating atransfer of a consumer item from the robotic vehicle to a conveyanceconfigured to transport the consumer item away from the consumershopping environment. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediabears one or more instructions for routing the robotic vehicle to thetransportation departure point.

In an embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable storage media 710bears one or more instructions 716 for managing a transfer of a consumeritem acquired by an individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment from another robotic vehicle to the robotic vehicle. In anembodiment, the non-transitory computer readable storage media bears oneor more instructions 718 for authorizing a release of a consumer itemacquired by the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment from a secure portion of the robotic vehicle. In anembodiment, the non-transitory computer readable storage media bears oneor more instructions 722 for returning the robotic vehicle to a staginglocation after the consumer item acquired by an individual human shopperin the consumer shopping environment is delivered to the transportationdeparture point.

FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 in the form of a machine, article ofmanufacture, or composition of matter for operating a robotic vehicleconfigured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper froma consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. Thesystem includes a receiver module 812 configured to receive dataindicative of a transportation departure point accommodating a transferof a consumer item from the robotic vehicle to a conveyance configuredto transport the consumer item away from the consumer shoppingenvironment. The system includes a guidance module 814 configured toroute the robotic vehicle to the transportation departure point.

In an embodiment, the system 800 includes a handover module 816configured to manage a transfer of a consumer item acquired by anindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment fromanother robotic vehicle to the robotic vehicle. In an embodiment, thesystem includes a discharge module 818 configured to release a consumeritem acquired by an individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment from a secure portion of the robotic vehicle. In anembodiment, the system includes a homing module configured to return therobotic vehicle to a staging location after the consumer item acquiredby the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment isdelivered to the transportation departure point.

FIG. 9 illustrates an environment 900 that includes a package managementsystem 920 for operating a robotic vehicle 110 configured to transportconsumer items 108 selected by a human shopper from a consumer shoppingenvironment 102 and placed in the robotic vehicle. The packagemanagement system includes circuitry for recognizing 922 an individualhuman shopper 195 placing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle. Thepackage management system includes circuitry for routing 924 the roboticvehicle along a path following the recognized individual human shopperthrough the consumer shopping environment (hereafter “shopper-followingmovement”). In an embodiment, the circuitry for routing is furtherconfigured to maintain a specified proximity to the individual humanshopper. The package management system includes circuitry for suspending926 the shopper-following movement of the robotic vehicle in response toa suspension criteria. In an embodiment, suspension criteria includepre-established suspension criteria. The package management systemincludes circuitry for resuming 928 the shopper-following movement ofthe robotic vehicle in response to a resumption criteria. In anembodiment, resumption criteria include pre-established suspensioncriteria.

In an embodiment of the package management system 920, the circuitry forrecognizing 922 an individual human shopper includes at least one of anoptical recognition system, a facial recognition system, an objectrecognition system. In an embodiment, the circuitry for recognizing anindividual human shopper includes at least one of a key pad, amicrophone, a voice recognition system, a code recognition system, an RFreceiver, or an IR receiver. For example, a recognition system mayrecognize the individual human shopper by their clothes or body shape.In an embodiment, the circuitry for recognizing an individual humanshopper does not know the individual human shopper ahead of time, justbond to individual human shopper when they first meet, and thenrecognize individual human shopper thereafter.

In an embodiment of the circuitry for suspending 926, the suspensioncriteria includes the individual human shopper entering in a restrictedlocation. For example, a restricted location may include a restroom,restaurant, or hair/nail salon. In an embodiment of the circuitry forsuspending, the suspension criteria includes receipt of an instructionoriginated by the individual human shopper to wait. For example, theinstruction may include a voice or gesture instruction. In an embodimentof the circuitry for suspending, the suspension criteria include receiptof a signal indicative of the individual human shopper entering arestricted location. For example, the signal may be received from anRFID tag mounted on wall, or from a visual recognition device. In anembodiment of the circuitry for suspending, the suspension criteriaincludes a spatial separation from the individual human shopper. Forexample, the suspension criteria may include stopping if separated fromindividual human shopper by more than six feet. For example, thesuspension criteria may include the robotic vehicle entering a wait modeif separated from the individual human shopper for a specified timeperiod or by a specified distance. In an embodiment of the circuitry forsuspending, the suspension criteria includes a temporal separation fromthe individual human shopper. For example, a temporal separation mayinclude a separation of more than ten seconds, one minute, two minutes,or the like. For example, the robotic vehicle can wait at or near alocation where told or where it lost contact with individual humanshopper.

In an embodiment, the package management system 920 includes circuitryfor authorizing a release of a consumer item 932 acquired by theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment from asecure portion of the robotic vehicle. In an embodiment, the circuitryfor authorizing a release of the consumer item acquired by theindividual human shopper authorizes the release in response to at leastone of the recognition of the individual human shopper or the resumptioncriteria. In an embodiment, the circuitry authorizing a release of theconsumer item further includes circuitry for preventing orde-authorizing a release of the consumer item acquired by the individualhuman shopper from the secure portion of the robotic vehicle in responseto the suspension criteria.

In an embodiment of the circuitry for resuming 928, the resumptioncriteria include the individual human shopper 195 leaving a restrictedlocation. In an embodiment of the circuitry for resuming, the resumptioncriteria include receipt of an instruction originated by individualhuman shopper to resume the shopper-following movement. In an embodimentof the circuitry for resuming, the resumption criteria include a spatialseparation from the individual human shopper of less than a specifieddistance.

In an embodiment of the circuitry for routing 924, the shopper-followingmovement of the robotic vehicle includes moving the robotic vehicle to adesignated waiting location or another landmark if the suspension of theshopper-following movement exceeds a specified time.

In an embodiment of the circuitry for resuming 928, the resumptioncriteria include a receipt of an instruction to resume theshopper-following movement. For example the robotic vehicle 110 may beexplicitly told where or when to reacquire the individual human shopper195. For example, the circuitry for resuming may ask the individualhuman shopper for their location by communicating via a mobile cellulardevice carried by the individual human shopper. In an embodiment of thecircuitry for resuming, the resumption criteria include the circuitryfor resuming automatically finding the individual human shopper afterlapse of a specified time. For example, the circuitry for resuming maytrack a beacon worn by the individual human shopper. For example, thecircuitry for resuming may inquire from store/mall location-trackingdatabase, such as surveillance camera footage. In an embodiment of thecircuitry for resuming, the resumption criteria includes electronically(i) notifying the individual human shopper of a loss of contact or ofits waiting location; can use text message, email, cell phone call,posted message on bulletin board; and (ii) receiving a meeting locationfrom the package management system.

In an embodiment, the package management system 920 includes circuitryfor receiving data indicative of a location 934 of the individual humanshopper in the consumer shopping environment; and circuitry for routing936 the robotic vehicle to the location of the individual human shopper.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example computationally-implemented method ofoperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle. The method includes an operational flow1000. After a start operation, the operational flow includes adistinguishing operation 1010 recognizing an individual human shopperplacing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle. In an embodiment, thedistinguishing operation may be implemented using the circuitry forrecognizing 922 described in conjunction with FIG. 9. A followingoperation 1020 includes routing the robotic vehicle along a pathfollowing the recognized individual human shopper through the consumershopping environment (hereafter “shopper-following movement”). In anembodiment, the following operation may be implemented using thecircuitry for routing 924 described in conjunction with FIG. 9. Aninterruption operation 1030 includes suspending the shopper-followingmovement of the robotic vehicle in response to a suspension criteria. Inan embodiment, the interruption operation may be implemented using thecircuitry for suspending 926 described in conjunction with FIG. 9. Arestart operation 1040 includes resuming the shopper-following movementof the robotic vehicle in response to a resumption criteria. In anembodiment, the restart operation may be implemented using the circuitryfor resuming described in conjunction with FIG. 9. The operational flowincludes an end operation.

In an embodiment, the operational flow 1000 includes receiving dataindicative of a location of the individual human shopper in the consumershopping environment; and routing the robotic vehicle to the location ofthe individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an article of manufacture 1100 for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle. The article of manufacture includes a non-transitorycomputer readable storage media 1110. The non-transitory computerreadable storage media bears one or more instructions 1112 forrecognizing an individual human shopper placing a consumer item in therobotic vehicle. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediabears one or more instructions 1114 for routing the robotic vehiclealong a path following the recognized individual human shopper throughthe consumer shopping environment (hereafter “shopper-followingmovement”). The non-transitory computer readable storage media bears oneor more instructions 1116 for suspending the shopper-following movementof the robotic vehicle in response to a suspension criteria. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage media bears one or moreinstructions 1118 for resuming the shopper-following movement of therobotic vehicle in response to a resumption criteria.

In an embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable storage media1110 bears one or more instructions 1122 a for receiving data indicativeof a location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment; and one or more instructions 1122 b for routing the roboticvehicle to the location of the individual human shopper in the consumershopping environment.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example system 1200 in the form of a machine,article of manufacture, or composition of matter for operating a roboticvehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a humanshopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the roboticvehicle. The system includes an identification module 1212 configured torecognize an individual human shopper placing a consumer item in therobotic vehicle. The system includes a guidance module 1214 configuredto route the robotic vehicle along a path following the recognizedindividual human shopper through the consumer shopping environment(hereafter “shopper-following movement”). The system includes aninterruption module 1216 configured to suspend the shopper-followingmovement of the robotic vehicle in response to a suspension criteria.The system includes a restart module 1218 configured to resume theshopper-following movement of the robotic vehicle in response to aresumption criteria.

In an embodiment, the system 1200 includes a receiver module 1222(a)configured to receive data indicative of a location of the individualhuman shopper in the consumer shopping environment; and a guidancemodule 1222(b) configured to route the robotic vehicle to the locationof the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.

FIGS. 1, 5, and 9 illustrate alternative embodiments of a roboticvehicle configured to transport consumer items 108 selected by a humanshopper from a consumer shopping environment 102 and placed in therobotic vehicle. The robotic vehicle includes a package managementsystem, alternative embodiments of which are illustrated by the packagemanagement system 120 described in conjunction with FIG. 1, the packagemanagement system 520 described in conjunction with FIG. 5, and thepackage management system 920 described in conjunction with FIG. 9. Therobotic vehicle includes a body with a consumer item carrier, such asthe secure portion 112, and the package security system 114. The roboticvehicle may also include at least one of a control system, a propulsionsystem configured to operate the robotic vehicle at a human walkingspeed, a steering device, or a guidance system. In an embodiment, therobotic vehicle may include a wheeled or tracked robotic vehicle. In anembodiment, the robotic vehicle may include the wireless communicationdevice 163. In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle may include the sensor174.

In an embodiment, the identity of consumer items 108 in the roboticvehicle 110 can be cataloged at a checkout. In an embodiment, theidentity of consumer items in the robotic vehicle selected from at leasttwo stores in the consumer shopping environment 102 can be separatelycataloged or charged. In an embodiment, the identity of consumer itemsin the robotic vehicle can be treated separately before and aftercheckout (at N stores). In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle canindependently go to a checkout lane when individual human shopper isdone shopping, and then reacquire individual human shopper later. In anembodiment, the consumer shopping environment includes a dedicatedrobotic vehicle checkout lane. In an embodiment, the consumer shoppingenvironment includes a checkout lane usable by the robotic vehicle andhuman shoppers. In an embodiment, the individual human shopper canpre-authorize a specified purchase limit. The robotic vehicle or a storein the consumer shopping environment can call the individual humanshopper (or their software agent) for authorization when amount isdetermined at checkout.

In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle 110 is configured to take theindividual human shopper's 195 selected consumer items 108 to a centralfacility for aggregation and/or temporary storage. In an embodiment, theindividual human shopper can place selected consumer items in Ndifferent robotic vehicle at different points in their shopping (e.g.,different stores in a mall), and have them all aggregated at centralfacility. In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle 110 can have N differentisolated compartments, so N different people can place items in itbefore it returns to central facility.

In an embodiment, the robotic vehicle 110 is configured to offer dealsor incentives to human shoppers using the robotic vehicle.

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety or to the extent their subject matter is not otherwiseinconsistent herewith.

In some embodiments, “configured” includes at least one of designed, setup, shaped, implemented, constructed, or adapted for at least one of aparticular purpose, application, or function.

It will be understood that, in general, terms used herein, andespecially in the appended claims, are generally intended as “open”terms. For example, the term “including” should be interpreted as“including but not limited to.” For example, the term “having” should beinterpreted as “having at least.” For example, the term “has” should beinterpreted as “having at least.” For example, the term “includes”should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc. It willbe further understood that if a specific number of an introduced claimrecitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in theclaim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present.For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claimsmay contain usage of introductory phrases such as “at least one” or “oneor more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of suchphrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of aclaim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits anyparticular claim containing such introduced claim recitation toinventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claimincludes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” andindefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a receiver” shouldtypically be interpreted to mean “at least one receiver”); the sameholds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claimrecitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introducedclaim recitation is explicitly recited, it will be recognized that suchrecitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recitednumber (e.g., the bare recitation of “at least two chambers,” or “aplurality of chambers,” without other modifiers, typically means atleast two chambers).

In those instances where a phrase such as “at least one of A, B, and C,”“at least one of A, B, or C,” or “an (item) selected from the groupconsisting of A, B, and C,” is used, in general such a construction isintended to be disjunctive (e.g., any of these phrases would include butnot be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together,and may further include more than one of A, B, or C, such as A₁, A₂, andC together, A, B₁, B₂, C₁, and C₂ together, or B₁ and B₂ together). Itwill be further understood that virtually any disjunctive word or phrasepresenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description,claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate thepossibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

The herein described aspects depict different components containedwithin, or connected with, different other components. It is to beunderstood that such depicted architectures are merely examples and thatin fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve thesame functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of componentsto achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such thatthe desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components hereincombined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as“associated with” each other such that the desired functionality isachieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being“operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achievethe desired functionality. Any two components capable of being soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to eachother to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples ofoperably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable orphysically interacting components or wirelessly interactable orwirelessly interacting components.

With respect to the appended claims the recited operations therein maygenerally be performed in any order. Also, although various operationalflows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that thevarious operations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of suchalternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted,reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous,reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise.Use of “Start,” “End,” “Stop,” or the like blocks in the block diagramsis not intended to indicate a limitation on the beginning or end of anyoperations or functions in the diagram. Such flowcharts or diagrams maybe incorporated into other flowcharts or diagrams where additionalfunctions are performed before or after the functions shown in thediagrams of this application. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,”“related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intendedto exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A package management system for operating arobotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by ahuman shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in therobotic vehicle, the package management system comprising: circuitry forrecognizing an individual human shopper; circuitry for receiving dataindicative of a location of the individual human shopper in the consumershopping environment; and circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle tothe location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment.
 2. The package management system of claim 1, wherein thecircuitry for recognizing an individual human shopper includes circuitryfor recognizing an individual human shopper placing a consumer item inthe robotic vehicle.
 3. The package management system of claim 1,wherein the circuitry for recognizing an individual human shopperincludes circuitry for identifying an individual human shopper placing aconsumer item in the robotic vehicle.
 4. The package management systemof claim 1, wherein the circuitry for receiving data includes circuitryfor receiving data indicative of a current location of the individualhuman shopper in the consumer shopping environment.
 5. The packagemanagement system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for receiving dataincludes circuitry for (i) receiving a data signal transmitted by awireless device carried by the individual human shopper and (ii)determining the current location of the individual human shopper inresponse to the received data signal.
 6. The package management systemof claim 1, wherein the circuitry for receiving data includes circuitryfor receiving position-related data from a shopper tracking system ordatabase.
 7. The package management system of claim 1, wherein thecircuitry for routing includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicleto the current location of the individual human shopper at leastpartially based on a travel limitation of the robotic vehicle.
 8. Thepackage management system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for routingincludes circuitry for planning a route and initiating a movement of therobotic vehicle along the planned route to the current location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.
 9. Thepackage management system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for routingincludes circuitry for predicting a future location of the individualhuman shopper, planning a route, and initiating a movement of therobotic vehicle along the planned route to the predicted future locationof the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.10. The package management system of claim 9, wherein the circuitry forrouting includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle first to adesignated intermediate location and then to the predicted futurelocation of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment.
 11. The package management system of claim 1, furthercomprising: circuitry for receiving a request originated by theindividual human shopper.
 12. The package management system of claim 11,wherein the request includes a request to move the robotic vehicle tothe location of the individual human shopper.
 13. The package managementsystem of claim 11, wherein the request includes a designated time atwhich the robotic vehicle is to move to the location of the individualhuman shopper.
 14. The package management system of claim 11, whereinthe request is transmitted by a mobile cellular device associated withthe individual human shopper.
 15. The package management system of claim11, wherein the request includes a request originated by the individualhuman shopper to suspend routing the robotic vehicle to the location ofthe individual human shopper.
 16. The package management system of claim11, wherein the request includes a request originated by the individualhuman shopper that the robotic vehicle resume routing the roboticvehicle to the location of the individual human shopper.
 17. The packagemanagement system of claim 11, wherein the request includes a requestoriginated by the individual human shopper that the robotic vehicle moveto the location of the individual human shopper.
 18. The packagemanagement system of claim 1, further comprising: circuitry forreceiving data indicative of a transportation departure point selectedby the individual human shopper, the transportation departure pointaccommodating a transfer of a consumer item from the robotic vehicle toa conveyance configured to transport the consumer item away from theconsumer shopping environment; wherein the circuitry for routingincludes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the transportationdeparture point.
 19. The package management system of claim 1, furthercomprising: circuitry for controlling a package security systemprotecting consumer items placed in a secure portion of the roboticvehicle against an unauthorized removal.
 20. The package managementsystem of claim 19, wherein the unauthorized removal includes a removalof a consumer item from the secure portion of the robotic vehicle by aperson other than the recognized individual human shopper.
 21. Thepackage management system of claim 19, wherein the unauthorized removalincludes an attempted entry by a hand of a person other than therecognized individual human shopper into the secure portion of therobotic vehicle.
 22. The package management system of claim 19, whereinthe circuitry for controlling the package security system includes aselectively-activated circuitry for controlling the package securitysystem.
 23. The package management system of claim 22, wherein theselectively-activated circuitry is activated if the individual humanshopper is physically separated from the robotic vehicle for more than aspecified time.
 24. The package management system of claim 22, whereinthe selectively-activated circuitry is activated if the individual humanshopper is physically separated from the robotic vehicle by more than aspecified distance.
 25. The package management system of claim 22,wherein the selectively-activated circuitry is activated if a gaze orhead direction of the individual human shopper is away from the roboticvehicle for more than a specified time.
 26. The package managementsystem of claim 22, wherein the selectively-activated circuitry isactivated if the robotic vehicle is motionless for more than a specifiedtime.
 27. The package management system of claim 1, further comprising:circuitry for issuing an alarm upon detection of an unauthorized removalor attempted unauthorized removal of a consumer item from a secureportion of the robotic vehicle.
 28. A computationally-implemented methodof operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle, the method comprising: recognizing anindividual human shopper placing a consumer item in the robotic vehicle;receiving data indicative of a location of the individual human shopperin the consumer shopping environment; and routing the robotic vehicle tothe location of the individual human shopper in the consumer shoppingenvironment.
 29. In an embodiment, the method of claim 28, furthercomprising: receiving a request originated by the individual humanshopper that the robotic vehicle suspend routing the robotic vehicle tothe location of the individual human shopper.
 30. In an embodiment, themethod of claim 28, further comprising: receiving a request originatedby the individual human shopper that the robotic vehicle move to thelocation of the individual human shopper.
 31. In an embodiment, themethod of claim 28, further comprising: receiving data indicative of atransportation departure point selected by the individual human shopper,the transportation departure point accommodating a transfer of aconsumer item from the robotic vehicle to a conveyance configured totransport the consumer item away from the consumer shopping environment;wherein the routing includes routing the robotic vehicle to thetransportation departure point.
 32. In an embodiment, the method ofclaim 28, further comprising: controlling a package security systemprotecting consumer items placed in a secure portion of the roboticvehicle from an unauthorized removal.
 33. An article of manufacture foroperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle, the article of manufacture comprising: anon-transitory computer readable storage media bearing: one or moreinstructions for recognizing an individual human shopper placing aconsumer item in the robotic vehicle; one or more instructions forreceiving data indicative of a location of the individual human shopperin the consumer shopping environment; and one or more instructions forrouting the robotic vehicle to the location of the individual humanshopper in the consumer shopping environment.
 34. In an embodiment, thenon-transitory computer readable storage media of the article ofmanufacture of claim 33, further includes: one or more instructions forreceiving a request originated by the individual human shopper that therobotic vehicle suspend routing the robotic vehicle to the location ofthe individual human shopper.
 35. In an embodiment, the non-transitorycomputer readable storage media of the article of manufacture of claim33, further includes: one or more instructions for receiving a requestoriginated by the individual human shopper that the robotic vehicleresume routing the robotic vehicle to the location of the individualhuman shopper.
 36. In an embodiment, the non-transitory computerreadable storage media of the article of manufacture of claim 33,further includes: one or more instructions for controlling a packagesecurity system protecting consumer items placed in a secure portion ofthe robotic vehicle from an unauthorized removal.
 37. A system in theform of a machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter foroperating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer itemsselected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment andplaced in the robotic vehicle, the system comprising: a user recognitionmodule configured to recognize an individual human shopper placing aconsumer item in the robotic vehicle; a receiver module configured toelectronically receive data indicative of a location of the individualhuman shopper in the consumer shopping environment; and a trackingmodule configured to route the robotic vehicle to the location of theindividual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment.